Suthep charged with making unlawful, impossible proposals

BANGKOK, Dec 10 – Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri said today that the resignation of the caretaker government including prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would be a breach of the Constitution.

Flatly rejecting protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s demand for Ms Yingluck to relinquish the caretaker position, he said the caretaker Cabinet members are bound by the royal decree to assume their responsibilities and their resignations would be in violation of the charter.

The stipulation (on a caretaker government) is clearly stated in Section 181 of the Constitution to avoid vacuum in the country’s administration, he explained.

Mr Chaikasem said Mr Suthep’s proposals on an interim government and people’s council were unlawful.

Mr Suthep is not empowered to issue orders to Cabinet members, civil servants and government officials, or set up a volunteer unit to work in place of the police, he said.

He said Mr Suthep is violating the royal power in announcing the formation of a government and Cabinet while the present administration remains in charge.

The caretaker justice minister said the authorities would arrest Mr Suthep on insurrection charges if they could approach him.

Somsak Kiatsuranond, former Parliament president, said Mr Suthep should be realistic and abide by the charter in making political proposals and resolutions for the country.

He called for dialogues to find acceptable frameworks before the general election is held, saying it would be worrisome if the Democrat Party boycotts the upcoming polls.